A “post-quarantine” half-day

Today I emerged into the daylight like a mole.

And although the quarantine continues, and remote learning too, this half-day felt intensely “post-quarantine” to me.

In both the good sense and the “oh, for heaven’s sake” kind of way.

Not long ago, our boutique had a ceiling that practically wept. Its tears ran down the walls in little streams, leaving us with headaches and the word “RENOVATION” flashing in rainbow colors before our eyes.

And you know how it goes: once we started painting the ceiling, we realized it was time to freshen up the wall color too.
After painting the walls and ceiling, we intended to hang the freshly washed and ironed curtains…

But—oh, but.
When held against the bright white walls… we realized the curtains themselves were already “world-weary” white.

Hugging a mountain of white fabric, I caught myself thinking that… if we replace one set of curtains, the only ones left unchanged would be the fitting room curtains.
Seven meters of fabric in my arms, dozens of whites pressed together… they were old too.
So I grabbed some fabric for them as well.

Then my eye caught the already “worn” little poufs.
Then the rugs…

Eventually, a “session” was called, attended by the two “head” members of the committee—me and my husband—and it was decided that, next to the Summer Collection, instead of one cabinet, it would look perfect to hang some branches we had found during a photo shoot.

The result?
The boutique renovation picked up momentum like Patricia swinging on a branch.
Few days left until opening.
The desire to “refresh everything” was huge.

The finale?
I went through countless cash registers.
And when it came time to pay, I solemnly held out my card—only for the cashier to declare, just as solemnly, that it had expired in March.
“Quarantine,” she smiled.

Then I went to the gas station, praised my hungry “pandutė,” stuck in my fuel nozzle, then the card, and then…
the screen flashed: “INCORRECT PIN. Please try again.”

Of course, I tried.
Then realizing I had only one attempt left to remember it, I called my husband and, exhaling deeply, surrendered:
“Zuiki, quarantine… save me! One card’s done. I don’t know the PIN for the other. SOS.”

But honestly, returning to life feels good.
My head is clearly well aired out.

By all means—
we open on 05.27.

Mua,
V.